Please Don't Clap When the Plane Lands

Have you ever cheered or clapped when a plane landed? Although it's not a rule of flying, it does happen—whether on an inaugural flight on a new route, a pilot's birthday, or after a particularly turbulent flight. But on the Huffington Post, flight attendant David Puzzo listed clapping as one of the 12 things people should never (that's right, never) do on a plane, alongside not wearing shoes in the bathroom, using nail polish remover, or eating stinky food. A few Condé Nast Traveler editors weighed in on their own thoughts about the "hooray, we made it" round of applause.

The Anti Clappers

"Why are we clapping? Because we're alive? Is it surprising that we're alive? Is it because we arrived at our sunny destination in the Caribbean? Did we think we wouldn't? If the pilot navigates a bumpy landing with skill and style, I'll clap. But I don't give participation trophies." - Laura Dannen Redman

"I don't mind when other people clap when the plane lands, but I myself don’t do it. It’s not a performance, and I don’t clap when a taxi driver drops me off at my apartment, or give a standing ovation to the ferry driver who deposits me safely on land, so this falls into the same category for me. That being said, I always, always, always make a point to thank the pilots and flight attendants on my way out. I appreciate that it’s a tough job, and I’m grateful for a safe flight and kind crew." - Caitlin Moscatello

The Pro Clappers

"Recently, I was on a flight where people clapped when the plane landed because the trip had been really bumpy and turbulent, to the point where everyone looked like they were about to puke. I think they were clapping out of sheer relief. I was pretty grateful to be on solid ground again." - Lilit Marcus

"Unlike many things on planes I consider violations, like other passengers refusing my right to recline, clapping or not clapping when a plane lands seems so specific to each flight, each pilot, and probably, how much turbulence you've endured. What's most notable to me about this is that there are actually some airlines that have clap tracks—yes, kind of like laugh tracks on late night shows. I first noticed this when I began flying Ryanair several years ago and upon landing, there was a celebratory horn and recorded applause noises that came over the plane's P.A. system. Some might think this is unnecessary, but I find it a sort of encouragement to those who are looking for an okay to physically express joy at being on the ground again. Because really, aren't we all rejoicing inside that we'll soon be off the aircraft?" - Katherine LaGrave